Device for launching flying bodies

ABSTRACT

1. A device for launching flying bodies particularly reactiondriven missiles, comprising a substantially ball-shaped pivot member, means pivotally mounting said pivot member for pivotal movement about a first normally horizontal axis and about a second normally vertical axis, at least one first and one second flying body launching tube rotatably mounted on said pivot member, control means operatively connected to said pivotal mounting means for said pivot member for pivoting said pivot member about said first and second axes, said pivot member having a loading opening defined therethrough below the pivotal mounting of said launching tubes thereon, said first and second launching tubes being rotatable between a firing position at which one of said first and second launching tubes extends above said ball member and a loading position at which one of said first and second loading tubes extends in alignment with the loading opening defined in said ball member, and a closure flap carried by said ball member and movable between a position closing said opening and a position opening said opening.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Arnold Stangl 1,183,050 /1916 Valleret a1. 89/37 (K) Munich; 2,137,612 11/1938 l-ligson 89/126 7 FranzPflsterJloehstadt, both of, Germany 2,559,714 7/1951 Duplessis.. 89/37[211 App]. No. 475,627 2,566,390 9/1951 Weber 89/l.804 [22] filed July1965 Primary Examiner-Samuel W. Engle [45 Paemed July Altomey-McGlew andToren [73] Assignee Bolkow Gesellschait mit Beschranktec Haftung .QtmhMunich, Germany CLAIM: l. A device for launching flying bodiesparticularly Pflomy g- 1964- reaction-driven missiles, comprising asubstantially ball- Germany shaped pivot member, means pivotallymounting said pivot [3 l] B 77943 member for pivotal movement about afirst nonnally horizontal axis and about a second normally verticalaxis,at least one first and one second flying body launching tube rotatablymounted on said pivot member, control means operatively [54] DEVICE FORLAUNCHING FLYING BODIES connected to pivotal mounting means for saidpivot claims 4 Drawin F member for pivoting said pivot member about saidfirst and second axes, said pivot member having a loading opening U.S.defined the eth 'ough below the pivotal mounting 0f Said 39/L316, 39/33MC, 89/37 39/40 89/41 B launching tubes thereon, said first and secondlaunching tubes F41i23/00 being rotatable between a firing position atwhich one of said 0f 37, fir t and second launching tubes extends abovesaid ball 45, 1-816, 126 member and a loading position at which one ofsaid first and second loading tubes extends in alignment with theloading [561 defences CM opening defined in said ball member, and aclosure flap car- UNITED STATES PATENTS ried by said ball member andmovable between a position clos- 299,218 5/1884 Gruson 89/36 ing saidopening and a position opening said opening.

---- is 21b 8 16a 15 15 l a A 1/ M I PATENTED JUL 2 7 I971 sum 2 or zINVENTORS Arnold StangLFranz Pfister ATTORNEYS DEVICE FOR LAUNCHllNGFLYING BODIES This invention relates in general to a weapons launcher,and in particular to a new and useful device for loading and firingweapons such as flying bodies from a launcher, particularly from avehicle such as a tank.

The present invention has particular application in reference to adevice for the firing and loading of reactiondriven flying bodiesemploying several guide tubes which are adapted to be located outside ofthe armor of a vehicle such as a tank. Special requirements apply to thefiring of reactiondriven flying bodies in respect to the discharge anddeflecting away of the engine gases and. in respect to the loadingprocedure which should be effected in as protected and simple a manneras possible. In known rocket launchers these requirements are fulfilledpartly by providing a launching platform which shields an operating orservicing space and which includes a guide tube or launching tube bundlefor the flying bodies which are arranged on a ball-shaped tube carrieror pivot member having a center point situated in the axis when thetubes are arranged to extend vertically. In such an arrangement the tubebundle can be swung or rocked both vertically and laterally. In order toreload the tube bundle, it must be rocked or tilted from a firingposition by means of the cradle to a position at which the tube bundleextends vertically relative to the launching platform. Each individualtube must then be brought into alignment with a loading arrangementwhich feeds rockets vertically relative to the launching platform. Whenvehicles are fitted with such firing devices, they of course present anexcellent target for the enemy and they can be readily recognized. Thisis due to the relatively large and high structure which can be seen fromgreat distances and is particularly due to the tubes which during theloading procedure extend vertically above the operating space. While itis true with such devices that normally several tubes loaded withrockets will be ready for firing at the same time, such an advantage isonly effective when unguided rockets are used against aerial targets.However, such devices are not advantageous when individual targets areto be attacked by means of remotely controlled flying bodies.Particularly in the latter case, the necessity for reloading a tube byrocking the tube bundle from a ready or fire position into apredetermined loading position is a disadvantage. Thus, even though someof the tubes may be loaded, the complete tube bundle must be rocked froma firing position to a loading position in order to load any of thetubes which have already been fired.

The prior art devices are limited for use with gyrostabilized flyingbodies because it is difficult for the operator to consider andcompensate for deviations between the gyro horizon and the naturalhorizon during movement of the vehicle. Such deviations result from thedifferent coordinations required for all of the tubes of the tubebundle.

in accordance with the invention there is provided a weapons mountingand firing device, particularly for armored vehicles such as tanks,which is adapted to be mounted in a compact manner in a shielded turretand which includes a plurality of guide tubes located outside the armorwhich may be shifted in orientation between loading and firingpositions. The inventive arrangement makes it possible to transferseveral launching tubes or guide tubes or barrels for the weapons intodesired predetermined positions without incurring the disadvantages ofthe prior art devices. Thus, each of the guide tubes can be brought to aloading position in alignment or registry with a loading arrangementwithin the armored vehicle and then moved by automatic controls to afiring or discharge position. The firing or discharge position of thetube may be set in relation to the vertical axis of the vehicle in orderto compensate for any deviations from the normal of the vehicleattitude. lt is possible with the inventive device to fire from one tubewhile another one is being loaded.

In a preferred arrangement, the mounting device for an armored vehicleincludes a ball-shaped armored portion which is rotatable in a socketdefined in the vehicle. The ball-shaped member includes a projectingportion which rotatably supports a plurality of launching tubes orbarrels. The ball-shaped member itself is pivotally mounted in thesocket and may be rotated about an axis which is normally horizontalwhen the vehicle is horizontal. In addition, the ball-shaped member isfurther pivotally mounted for rotation about an axis which issubstantially vertical when the vehicle is in a vertical position.Control means are provided for shifting the ball-shaped mounting memberabout the horizontal and vertical axis for aiming purposes and forloading purposes. When the ballshaped member is positioned in a loadingposition, the lowermost launching tube will be aligned with an openingdefined through the ball-shaped member to the interior of the vehicle toprovide access means for loading the lowermost barrel from the interiorof the vehicle by either an automatic or manual operation. After thetube is loaded with a flying body, it may be rotated to an uppermostfiring position or to a position which is corrected in accordance withthe axis of the vehicle, and at such location the open end of thelaunching tube will be located above the vehicle so that the propulsiongases will be blown clear.

in a preferred arrangement, two launching tubes are employed and theymay be positioned so that one is located uppermost in a firing positionand one is located lowermost in a position to align with a loadingopening. The tubes may also be oriented so that they extend laterallyacross the vehicle in which case each is presented below the top of thesilhouette of the vehicle so that the vehicle does not present a hightarget.

It is preferable to provide guide tubes for the flying bodies which havea cross section which deviates from the round form. Between the innerwall of the guide tubes and the flying body there is thus space forconnecting elements such as control cables and the like. instead ofguiding tubes, guiding rails or similar elements may of course beemployed. In some instances it is desirable that the guide tubes arealso made with armor plating.

A feature of the construction is that one of tubes for the flying bodymay be positioned in a loading position to permit protected feeding ofthe tube with a weapon from the interior of the vehicle through anopening which is defined in a ball member mounting the tubes and whichextends to the interior of the vehicle. The opening thus defined onlyaligns with the inner end of the tube to be loaded and is not exposedsince it will normally always be covered by the inner end of one of thelaunching tubes or by a movable cover flap. The ball-shaped member isalso advantageously provided with a flat portion which assumessubstantially a horizontal position when the loading opening of the ballmember is aligned with one of the tubes. The magazine for the flyingbodies is advantageously maintained within the armored vehicle at alocation such that it can be pivoted with the movement of theball-shaped member for the purposes of orienting a flying body in aposition for loading through the opening at all times. Preferably drummagazines are provided for the automatic transfer and loading of theflying bodies into the tube in the loading position as required. Theflying bodies may be fired from the launching tubes either independentlyand separately or simultaneously if so desired.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the rotation aswell as the pivotal movement of the guide tubes is controlled throughcontrol means such as hydraulic or electric connecting cables. Therotational arc of movement in the embodiment of the invention using tworocket tubes is advantageously limited to about a and takes placealternatingly. By such an alternating arrangement it is possible toprovide transmission and electrical connections which may be verysimple.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a mounting forlaunching a weapon such as a flying body which includes a rotatable ballelement which is adapted to be positioned in a socket of a launchingstation such as a vehicle, which ball element rotatably carries aplurality of launching tubes for the weapons and which is mounted in amanner such that it may be pivoted about horizontal and vertical axesfor firing and loading.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for launchingflying bodies from an armored vehicle such as a tank which includes asocket mounting comprising a ballshaped member which is rotatable in thesocket about vertical and horizontal axes, said ball-shaped membercarrying on an extension thereof in a rotatable manner tworocket-launching devices or guide tubes, an upper one and a lower one,with the lower one adapted to be positioned for alignment with a loadingopening defined in the ball member and with the upper one adapted to beoriented above the vehicle for firing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flying body launchingdevice for incorporation with a vehicle such as a tank which includes aplurality of guide means or launching tubes, one of which may bepositioned for loading in a protected manner from the interior of thevehicle and another of which may be located in a position for firing.

A further object of the invention is to provide an armored vehicle suchas a tank with means for launching weapons such as flying bodies fromthe tank which includes means for rotatably and pivotally mounting atleast two rocket launching tubes or guides so that they may be siftedbetween and firing positions and may be loaded from the iptrigr of thetank and which further may be positioned so that do not extend above thetop of the silhouette of the" tank for camouflage purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vehigle hav' ing meansfor launching flying bodies and to provide a flying body launcher whichare simple in design, rugged in construction and economical tomanufacture.

The various features of novelty which ch ention are pointed out withparticularity in c lajrgs annexed to and forming a part of thisspecification? a'bettcr understanding of the invention, its operatingadvg'gtages and specific objects attained by its use, reference shouldbe had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in whichthere are illustrated and described preferred embpdiments of theinvention.

In the drawings:

PEG. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a tank hay ing aflying body or rocket launcher constructed in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational and sectional perspective view ofanother embodiment of loading device for the flying body launcher; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 are front elevational views of the embodiment of tankshowing the launching tubes in two separate positions.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied thereincomprises a weapons launcher generally designated 50 shown inassociation with an armored vehicle such as a tank generally designated52. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. l, theweapons launcher includes two flying body guides or guide tubes 1 and 2which are rigidly connected with each other by connecting plates 54 andwhich are rotatably mounted on rotatable bearings 3 and 4 on aprojecting portion or conical extension 70 of a ball-shaped member orarmored pivot member generally designated 7. The ball-shaped member 7 isrotatable in a socket or hemispherical formation 8 defined in the armor9 of the tank 52. The socket 8 is advantageously formed at the upper endof a front wall of the tank 52.

In accordance with the invention the pivot member 7 is pivotally mountedon a pivot member 12 for rotation about a normally horizontal axis. Thepivot member 12 is supported on a pivotal top portion 130 of a pivotpost 13. A combination cover flap and supporting table 21 is rotatablymounted within the pivot member 7 and together with the ball-shapedmember normally completely closes the opening defined around theexterior of the socket 8. The combination flap and loading table 21includes a flat wall portion or loading table 23 defining a loadingtable when the flap is opened to the position indicated in FIG. 1 insolid lines. The combination flap a nd sup id? i l? nporting table 21may be moved to a closed position by rocking a lever extension 2117formed at an end of the combination flap and supporting table.

in accordance with the invention suitable controls are provided foreffecting the shifting of the upper post member 13a to rotate the postmember 7 about a vertical axis 14, to shift the pivot member 7 about thehorizontal axis 12 and to shift the combination cover flap andsupporting table 21 about the axis 12. In the embodiment illustrated,the control means includes a hydraulic cylinder 15 having means (notshown) for admitting fluid to opposite ends of a piston (not shown)slidable therein for shifting a piston rod which is connected through alink 13b to the movable upper post portion 13a for shifting the latterabout its vertical axis 14. The control means also includes a settingrqgtor or hydraulic cylinder 16 which is connected through itsgopnecting rod portion 16a for shifting the pivot member 7 about itssubstantially horizontal axis 12. A fluid cylinder 22 is also connectedthrough a connecting rod 220 for shifting the combination flap and tablesupporting member 21. In addition, control means are provided forrotating the barrels l and 2 fronilthe position indicated in FIG. 1, inwhich the launching tube 1 is in a firing position and the launchingtube 2 is position, to a position intermediate this position in 'wliichboth tubes are located in substantially horizontal alignment asindicated in F l6. 4, or to a position at which the upper tube 1 islocated for firing purposes with compensaQpn'beiug made for shifting ofthe axis of the vehicle. as indicated in HQ. 3. The rotation of thepivot member 7 about the pivot aids l2 and about the axis 14 makespossible a lateral adjustment or sighting of the guide tubes 1 and 2the'i'dtation of the guide tubes 1' and 2 about the axis 18 makes itpossible to shift the tubes from the firing to the loading position, Therotation of the tubes 1 and 2 is advantageously limited to so that theactuating mechanism may be simplifipd. A machine gun 35 mayadvantageously be mounted centrally within the conical projection 7a ofthe ball-Shaped members 7 to fire concentrically between the tubes 3 2,

As indicated in FIG. 3, the guide tube 1 is in a firing position and theguide tube 3 is in registry with an opening 20 defined in theball-shaped member by the movement of the combination flap andsupporting table 21 from the dotted line position to the solid lineposition. in the open position indicated, the loading table 23 issubstantially horizontal and in alignment with the tube 2. The loadingtable 23 facilitates the supply of flying bodies from a magazine 30which is advantageously rotatably mounted in a magazine carrier 31. Themagazine carrier 31 is connected through a connecting piece 32 to thecradle 11 and is jointly rockable with the cradle ill during theshifting movement thereof. in this manner the loading procedure canalways take place independently of the position of the cradle andindependently of the firing position of one of the guide tubes 1 and 2.

in the embodiment indicated in FIG. 2, there is shown a loading devicewhich is particularly suitable for manual or semiautomatic loading. Inthis embodiment no loading flap 21 is provided but instead there is aloading device 26 which includes an arcuate slide 26 which is slidablerelative to the socket element 8. For the loading operation the slide 26is moved into a position at which a loading opening 20' which is coveredby a plate 24 is in registry with a guide tube 2' which is positioned ina loading position as indicated in F IG. 3.

During the loading procedure, diaphragms 27, which are located within abore formed on an extension 25 of the slide are moved one after theother from a closing position to an open position by the insertion ofthe flying body into the center of the assembled diaphragms. As theflying body is moved against the diaphragms, they are deflectedoutwardly and when the flying body 'gsirnoved through the two diaphragmsets, they automatically close. The inner end of the tubular portion isadvantageously and formed into a funnel 29 for facilitating loading ofthe flying bodies.

As indicated in FIG. 2, the guide tube 2' is advantageously made with asubstantially U-shaped lower wall with a flat upper wall. Between theinner portions of the wall 33 and the flying body 28 there is space forconnections and guide elements which has been indicated schematically bythe numeral 34 in FIG. 2. In some instances the flying bodies 28 are ofa type which are able to be started from transporting pipes or tubes 36which may also be accommodated within the guide tube 2'. With aconstruction of this nature it is certain that the flying body will beinserted in the guide tube only in the correct correlation anddirection.

Such connections and guide elements 34 may be provided between the guidetube 2' and the transporting pipe 36 also.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 the guide tubes 1, l and 1'',respectively, are shown in a vertical correlation relative to thetransverse axis of the vehicles 52 and and 10', respectively. Thearrangements correspond to one of several possible firing positions inwhich a loading guide tube may be positioned. As indicated in FIG. 3,the tube 1' may extend above the armored vehicle 10, or, as positionedin FIG. 4, located entirely below the top surface of the vehicle. Whenthe guide tube 1' is located above the vehicle, as indicated in FIG. 3,the gases from the flying body will not impinge on the armored vehicle.To present a low silhouette, the sighting tube 37, as indicated in FIG.3, is retracted so that a vehicle 10', as indicated in FIG. 4, willpresent a low silhouette.

When the vehicle 10 in FIG. 3 is oriented so that its horizontal axiscorresponds to the true horizontal axis as indicated at 40, then theguide tube 1' may be oriented substantially vertically in order toeffect correct firing without compensation. The position of the tube 1is corrected, however, to the position indicated 1a in the event thatthe transverse axis of the vehicle extends in an inclined directionrelative to the horizon, as indicated in FIG. 3 by the dash-dottedhorizontal line 40a. In such instance, the deviation of the gyro horizonof the flying body from the natural horizon can be compensated in asimple manner without any additional means be rocking the guide tube llto the position in at which it would extend substantially perpendicularto the line 40a.

As indicated in FIG. 4, the front silhouette of the armored vehicle 10'remains low with the guide tubes 1" and 2" arranged in substantiallylateral alignment.

In FIG. 1 the connecting line i9 is indicated as being the connectionfor the control means for setting each of the adjustable electrical orhydraulic elements 15, 16, 17 and 22. All of these elements areadvantageously controlled by a common control station and preferably independence on the movement of the target device or the sighting device37.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventiveprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What I claim is:

1. A device for launching flying bodies particularly reaction-drivenmissiles, comprising a substantially ball-shaped pivot member, meanspivotally mounting said pivot member for pivotal movement about a firstnormally horizontal axis and about a second normally vertical axis, atleast one first and one second flying body launching tube rotatablymounted on said pivot member, control means operatively connected tosaid pivotal mounting means for said pivot member for pivoting saidpivot member about said first and second axes, said pivot member havinga loading opening defined therethrough below the pivotal mounting ofsaid launching tubes thereon, said first and second launching tubesbeing rotatable between a firing position at which one of said first andsecond launching tubes extend above said ball member and a loadingposition at which one of said first and second loading tubes extends inalignment with the loading opening defined in said ball member, and aclosure flap carried by said ball member and movable between a positionclosing said opening and a position opening said opening.

2. A device for launching flying bodies particularly reaction-drivenmissiles, comprising a substantially ball-shaped pivot member, meanspivotally mounting said pivot member for pivotal movement about a firstnormally horizontal axis and about a second nonnally vertical axis, atleast one first and one second flying body launching tube rotatablymounted on said pivot member, control means operatively connected tosaid pivotal mounting means for said pivot member for pivoting saidpivot member about said first and second axes, said pivot member havinga loading opening defined therethrough below the pivotal mounting ofsaid launching tubes thereon, said first and second launching tubesbeing rotatable between a firing position at which one of said first andsecond launching tubes extends above said ball member and a loadingposition at which one of said first and second loading tubes extends inalignment with the loading opening defined in said ball member, and aclosure flap carried by said ball member and movable between a positionclosing said opening and opening said opening, said closure flapincluding a flat plate portion alignable with the bottom of the tubealigned with the opening thereof in a loading position for facilitatingthe movement of a guided missile over the flat plate portion and intothe launching tube.

3. A device for launching flying bodies particularly reaction-drivenmissiles, comprising a pivot member having a pro jecting portion with aloading opening defined therethrough below said projecting portion,first means pivotally mounting said pivot member for pivoting about afirst normally horizontal axis, second means pivotally mounting saidpivot member for pivoting about a second normally vertical axis, meansfor pivoting said member about said first and second axes, first andsecond flying body launching tubes, means connecting said flying bodylaunching tubes together and rotatably mounting said tubes on theprojecting portion of said pivot member, said first and second tubesbeing rotatable between a first position at which one of said first andsecond tubes extends above said projecting member in a firing positionand one of said tubes is located below said projecting portion inalignment with the opening in said ball member in a loading position toa second position at which said tubes are posi tioned in a reversemanner, and a closure flap carried by said pivot member and slidablymovable to close the loading opening in said pivot member, said closureflap including a plate portion which aligns with the launching tube in aloading position when said flap is in a position opening the opening insaid ball member.

4. A device for launching flying bodies particularly reaction-drivenmissiles, comprising a substantially ball-shaped pivot member having asubstantially conical projecting portion with a loading opening definedtherethrough below said projecting portion, first means pivotallymounting said pivot member for pivoting about a first normallyhorizontal axis, second means pivotally mounting said pivot member forpivoting about a second normally vertical axis, means for pivoting saidpivot member about said first and second axes, first and second flyingbody launching tubes, means rotatably mounting said tubes on theprojecting portion of said pivot member, said first and second tubesbeing rotatable between a first position at which one of said first andsecond tubes extends above said projecting member in a firing positionand one of said tubes is located below said projecting portion inalignment with the opening in said ball member in a loading position, toa second position at which said tubes are positioned in a reversemanner, a closure flap carried by said pivot member and slidably movableto close the loading opening in said pivot member, said closure flapincluding a flat plate portion which aligns with the launching tube in aloading position when said flap is in a position opening the opening insaid ball member, a magazine for flying bodies located adjacent saidball member on the interior of said armored vehicle pivoted to saidpivot member for orienting the flying bodies carried thereby inalignment with the opening in said pivot member for loading into alaunching tube.

5. A device for launching flying bodies particularly reaction-drivenmissiles, comprising a substantially ball-shaped pivot member having asubstantially conical projecting portion with an opening definedtherethrough below said projecting portion, first means pivotallymounting said pivot member for pivoting about a first normallyhorizontal axis, second means pivotally mounting said pivot member forpivoting about a second normally vertical axis, first and second flyingbody launching tubes, means connecting said flying body launching tubestogether and rotatably mounting said tubes on the projecting portion ofsaid pivot member, said first and second tubes being rotatable between afirst position at which one of said first and second tubes extends abovesaid projecting member in a firing position and one of said tubes islocated below said projecting portion in alignment with the opening insaid ball member in a loading position, to a second position at whichsaid tubes are positioned in a reverse manner, closure flap carried bysaid pivot member and slidably movable to close the opening in saidpivot member, said closure flap including a flat plate portion whichaligns with the launching tube in a loading position when said flap isin a position opening the opening in said ball member, a magazine forflying bodies located adjacent said ball member on the interior of saidarmored vehicle, a socket member of armored material surrounding saidball member, said magazine being pivoted to said ball member fororienting the flying bodies carried thereby in alignment with theopening in said ball member for loading into a launching tube, and meansfor pivoting said ball member about its first and second including fluidpressure cylinder and piston means.

6. A device for launching flying bodies particularly reaction-drivenmissiles, comprising a substantially ball-shaped pivot member having asubstantially conical projecting portion with an opening definedtherethrough below said project ing portion, first means pivotallymounting said pivot member for ivoting about a first normally horizontalaxis, second means pivotally mounting said pivot member for pivotingabout a second normally vertical axis including a fixed column mountedwithin said armored vehicle and a pivotal column carrying said ballmember and pivotal on said fixed column, means for pivoting said pivotalcolumn including a fluid pressure cylinder and a piston slidable thereinhaving a connecting rod connected to said pivotal column for pivotingsaid column in accordance with displacement of said piston in saidcylinder, first and second flying body launching tubes, means connectingsaid flying body launching tubes together and rotatably mounting saidtubes on the projecting portion of said pivot member, said first andsecond tubes being rotatable between a first position at which one ofsaid first and second tubes extends above said projecting member in afiring position and one of said tubes is located below said projectingportion in alignment with the opening in said ball member in a loadingposition, to a second position at which said tubes are positioned in areverse manner, a closure flap carried by said pivot member and slidablymovable to close the opening in said pivot member, said closure flapincluding a flat plate portion which aligns with the launching tube in aloading position when said flap is in a position opening the opening insaid pivot member, a magazine for flying bodies located adjacent saidball member on the interior of said armored vehicle being pivoted tosaid ball member for orienting the flying bodies carried thereby inalignment with the opening in said ball member for loading into alaunching tube, means for pivoting said ball member about its first axisincluding fluid pressure cylinder and piston means, and a machine gunmounted in said projecting portion and aimed centrally between saidflying body launching tubes.

7. A device for launching flying bodies particularly reaction-drivenmissiles, comprising a pivot member having a projecting portion, firstmeans pivotally mounting said pivot member for rotation about a firstnormally horizontal axis, second means pivotally mounting said pivotmember for pivoting about a second normally vertical axis, a pluralityof flying body launching guides rotatably mounted on a projectingportion of said pivot member, and control means operatively connected tosaid first and second pivotal mounting means for shifting said ballmember about said first and second axes and connected to said launchingtubes for rotating said launching tubes, said pivot member having atubular inner extension with an outer opening, and diaphragm means insaid tubular extension closing the interior thereof, said diaphragmmeans including separable diaphragms which are displaceable uponentrance of a flying body through the bore thereof for loading into alaunching tube.

8. A device for launching flying bodies particularly reaction-drivenmissiles, comprising a ball-shaped pivot member having a substantiallyconical projecting portion, first means pivotally mounting said pivotmember for rotation about a first normally horizontal axis, second meanspivotally mounting said pivot member for pivoting about a secondnormally vertical axis, a plurality of flying body launching guidesrotatably mounted on a projecting portion of said pivot member, andcontrol means operatively connected to said first and second pivotalmounting means for shifting said ball member about said first and secondaxes and connected to said launching tubes for rotating said launchingtubes, said pivot member having a tubular inner extension with an outeropening and an inner flared loading portion, and diaphragm means in saidtubular extension closing the interior thereof, said diaphragm meansincluding separable diaphragms which are displaceable upon entrance of aflying body through the bore thereof for loading into a launching tube.

9. An armored vehicle comprising a body of relatively low height, wheelmeans for propelling said body over the ground, said body having a wallwith an armored socket portion with an opening, a substantiallyball-shaped pivot member pivotally mounted within said socket portionand closing the opening, said pivot member being pivotal about a firstnormally horizontal axis and a second normally vertical axis, said pivotmember having a projecting portion, at least one first and one secondflying body launching tube rotatably mounted on a projecting portion ofsaid pivot member for positioning one of said launching tubes above thetop of said vehicle body in a position for firing and for positioninganother of said launching tubes below the top of said vehicle body in aloading position, said pivot member having a loading opening definedtherethrough and communicating with the interior of said tank body whichaligns with the launching tube in a loading position, and a flap membercarried by said ball-shaped member and pivotal between a positionopening the loading opening and a position closing the loading opening.

10. An armored vehicle comprising a body of relatively low height, wheelmeans for propelling said body over the ground, said body having aforward sloping wall with an armored socket portion having a socketopening, a substantially balishaped pivot member pivotally mountedwithin said socket portion and closing the socket opening, said pivotmember being pivotal about a first normally horizontal axis and a secondnormally vertical axis, said pivot member having a projecting portion,at least one first and one second flying body launching guide rotatablymounted on a projecting portion of said pivot member for positioning oneof said launching guides above the top of said vehicle body in aposition for firing, and another of said launching guides below the topof said vehicle body in a loading position, said pivot member having aloading opening defined therethrough for alignment with the launchingtube in a loading position, and a flap member carried by saidball-shaped pivot member and pivotal between a position opening theloading opening and a position closing the loading opening, said flapincluding a flat plate portion extending inwardly from said opening whenthe flap is opening the loading opening to permit loading of saidlaunching guide from the interior of said armored vehicle.

1. A device for launching flying bodies particularly reactiondrivenmissiles, comprising a substantially ball-shaped pivot member, meanspivotally mounting said pivot member for pivotal movement about a firstnormally horizontal axis and about a second normally vertical axis, atleast one first and one second flying body launching tube rotatablymounted on said pivot member, control means operatively connected tosaid pivotal mounting means for said pivot member for pivoting saidpivot member about said first and second axes, said pivot member havinga loading opening defined therethrough below the pivotal mounting ofsaid launching tubes thereon, said first and second launching tubesbeing rotatable between a firing position at which one of said first andsecond launching tubes extend above said ball member and a loadingposition at which one of said first and second loading tubes extends inalignment with the loading opening defined in said ball member, and aclosure flap carried by said ball member and movable between a positionclosing said opening and a position opening said opening.
 2. A devicefor launching flying bodies particularly reaction-driven missiles,comprising a substantially ball-shaped pivot member, means pivotallymounting said pivot member for pivotal movement about a first normallyhorizontal axis and about a second normally vertical axis, at least onefirst and one second flying body launching tube rotatably mounted onsaid pivot member, control means operatively connected to said pivotalmounting means for said pivot member for pivoting said pivot memberabout said first and second axes, said pivot member having a loadingopening defined therethrough below the pivotal mounting of saidlaunching tubes thereon, said first and second launching tubes beingrotatable between a firing position at which one of said first andsecond launching tubes extends aboVe said ball member and a loadingposition at which one of said first and second loading tubes extends inalignment with the loading opening defined in said ball member, and aclosure flap carried by said ball member and movable between a positionclosing said opening and opening said opening, said closure flapincluding a flat plate portion alignable with the bottom of the tubealigned with the opening thereof in a loading position for facilitatingthe movement of a guided missile over the flat plate portion and intothe launching tube.
 3. A device for launching flying bodies particularlyreaction-driven missiles, comprising a pivot member having a projectingportion with a loading opening defined therethrough below saidprojecting portion, first means pivotally mounting said pivot member forpivoting about a first normally horizontal axis, second means pivotallymounting said pivot member for pivoting about a second normally verticalaxis, means for pivoting said member about said first and second axes,first and second flying body launching tubes, means connecting saidflying body launching tubes together and rotatably mounting said tubeson the projecting portion of said pivot member, said first and secondtubes being rotatable between a first position at which one of saidfirst and second tubes extends above said projecting member in a firingposition and one of said tubes is located below said projecting portionin alignment with the opening in said ball member in a loading positionto a second position at which said tubes are positioned in a reversemanner, and a closure flap carried by said pivot member and slidablymovable to close the loading opening in said pivot member, said closureflap including a flat plate portion which aligns with the launching tubein a loading position when said flap is in a position opening theopening in said ball member.
 4. A device for launching flying bodiesparticularly reaction-driven missiles, comprising a substantiallyball-shaped pivot member having a substantially conical projectingportion with a loading opening defined therethrough below saidprojecting portion, first means pivotally mounting said pivot member forpivoting about a first normally horizontal axis, second means pivotallymounting said pivot member for pivoting about a second normally verticalaxis, means for pivoting said pivot member about said first and secondaxes, first and second flying body launching tubes, means rotatablymounting said tubes on the projecting portion of said pivot member, saidfirst and second tubes being rotatable between a first position at whichone of said first and second tubes extends above said projecting memberin a firing position and one of said tubes is located below saidprojecting portion in alignment with the opening in said ball member ina loading position, to a second position at which said tubes arepositioned in a reverse manner, a closure flap carried by said pivotmember and slidably movable to close the loading opening in said pivotmember, said closure flap including a flat plate portion which alignswith the launching tube in a loading position when said flap is in aposition opening the opening in said ball member, a magazine for flyingbodies located adjacent said ball member on the interior of said armoredvehicle pivoted to said pivot member for orienting the flying bodiescarried thereby in alignment with the opening in said pivot member forloading into a launching tube.
 5. A device for launching flying bodiesparticularly reaction-driven missiles, comprising a substantiallyball-shaped pivot member having a substantially conical projectingportion with an opening defined therethrough below said projectingportion, first means pivotally mounting said pivot member for pivotingabout a first normally horizontal axis, second means pivotally mountingsaid pivot member for pivoting about a second normally vertical axis,first and second flying body launching tubes, means connecting saidflying body launchiNg tubes together and rotatably mounting said tubeson the projecting portion of said pivot member, said first and secondtubes being rotatable between a first position at which one of saidfirst and second tubes extends above said projecting member in a firingposition and one of said tubes is located below said projecting portionin alignment with the opening in said ball member in a loading position,to a second position at which said tubes are positioned in a reversemanner, closure flap carried by said pivot member and slidably movableto close the opening in said pivot member, said closure flap including aflat plate portion which aligns with the launching tube in a loadingposition when said flap is in a position opening the opening in saidball member, a magazine for flying bodies located adjacent said ballmember on the interior of said armored vehicle, a socket member ofarmored material surrounding said ball member, said magazine beingpivoted to said ball member for orienting the flying bodies carriedthereby in alignment with the opening in said ball member for loadinginto a launching tube, and means for pivoting said ball member about itsfirst and second including fluid pressure cylinder and piston means. 6.A device for launching flying bodies particularly reaction-drivenmissiles, comprising a substantially ball-shaped pivot member having asubstantially conical projecting portion with an opening definedtherethrough below said projecting portion, first means pivotallymounting said pivot member for pivoting about a first normallyhorizontal axis, second means pivotally mounting said pivot member forpivoting about a second normally vertical axis including a fixed columnmounted within said armored vehicle and a pivotal column carrying saidball member and pivotal on said fixed column, means for pivoting saidpivotal column including a fluid pressure cylinder and a piston slidabletherein having a connecting rod connected to said pivotal column forpivoting said column in accordance with displacement of said piston insaid cylinder, first and second flying body launching tubes, meansconnecting said flying body launching tubes together and rotatablymounting said tubes on the projecting portion of said pivot member, saidfirst and second tubes being rotatable between a first position at whichone of said first and second tubes extends above said projecting memberin a firing position and one of said tubes is located below saidprojecting portion in alignment with the opening in said ball member ina loading position, to a second position at which said tubes arepositioned in a reverse manner, a closure flap carried by said pivotmember and slidably movable to close the opening in said pivot member,said closure flap including a flat plate portion which aligns with thelaunching tube in a loading position when said flap is in a positionopening the opening in said pivot member, a magazine for flying bodieslocated adjacent said ball member on the interior of said armoredvehicle being pivoted to said ball member for orienting the flyingbodies carried thereby in alignment with the opening in said ball memberfor loading into a launching tube, means for pivoting said ball memberabout its first axis including fluid pressure cylinder and piston means,and a machine gun mounted in said projecting portion and aimed centrallybetween said flying body launching tubes.
 7. A device for launchingflying bodies particularly reaction-driven missiles, comprising a pivotmember having a projecting portion, first means pivotally mounting saidpivot member for rotation about a first normally horizontal axis, secondmeans pivotally mounting said pivot member for pivoting about a secondnormally vertical axis, a plurality of flying body launching guidesrotatably mounted on a projecting portion of said pivot member, andcontrol means operatively connected to said first and second pivotalmounting means for shifting said ball member about said first and secondaxes and Connected to said launching tubes for rotating said launchingtubes, said pivot member having a tubular inner extension with an outeropening, and diaphragm means in said tubular extension closing theinterior thereof, said diaphragm means including separable diaphragmswhich are displaceable upon entrance of a flying body through the borethereof for loading into a launching tube.
 8. A device for launchingflying bodies particularly reaction-driven missiles, comprising aball-shaped pivot member having a substantially conical projectingportion, first means pivotally mounting said pivot member for rotationabout a first normally horizontal axis, second means pivotally mountingsaid pivot member for pivoting about a second normally vertical axis, aplurality of flying body launching guides rotatably mounted on aprojecting portion of said pivot member, and control means operativelyconnected to said first and second pivotal mounting means for shiftingsaid ball member about said first and second axes and connected to saidlaunching tubes for rotating said launching tubes, said pivot memberhaving a tubular inner extension with an outer opening and an innerflared loading portion, and diaphragm means in said tubular extensionclosing the interior thereof, said diaphragm means including separablediaphragms which are displaceable upon entrance of a flying body throughthe bore thereof for loading into a launching tube.
 9. An armoredvehicle comprising a body of relatively low height, wheel means forpropelling said body over the ground, said body having a wall with anarmored socket portion with an opening, a substantially ball-shapedpivot member pivotally mounted within said socket portion and closingthe opening, said pivot member being pivotal about a first normallyhorizontal axis and a second normally vertical axis, said pivot memberhaving a projecting portion, at least one first and one second flyingbody launching tube rotatably mounted on a projecting portion of saidpivot member for positioning one of said launching tubes above the topof said vehicle body in a position for firing and for positioninganother of said launching tubes below the top of said vehicle body in aloading position, said pivot member having a loading opening definedtherethrough and communicating with the interior of said tank body whichaligns with the launching tube in a loading position, and a flap membercarried by said ball-shaped member and pivotal between a positionopening the loading opening and a position closing the loading opening.10. An armored vehicle comprising a body of relatively low height, wheelmeans for propelling said body over the ground, said body having aforward sloping wall with an armored socket portion having a socketopening, a substantially ball-shaped pivot member pivotally mountedwithin said socket portion and closing the socket opening, said pivotmember being pivotal about a first normally horizontal axis and a secondnormally vertical axis, said pivot member having a projecting portion,at least one first and one second flying body launching guide rotatablymounted on a projecting portion of said pivot member for positioning oneof said launching guides above the top of said vehicle body in aposition for firing, and another of said launching guides below the topof said vehicle body in a loading position, said pivot member having aloading opening defined therethrough for alignment with the launchingtube in a loading position, and a flap member carried by saidball-shaped pivot member and pivotal between a position opening theloading opening and a position closing the loading opening, said flapincluding a flat plate portion extending inwardly from said opening whenthe flap is opening the loading opening to permit loading of saidlaunching guide from the interior of said armored vehicle.